Inklingo
← Dictionary

primaria

/pree-MAH-ree-ah/

primary school

A colorful, simple illustration of a small primary school building with a red roof and green lawn, representing the first stage of education.

Primaria often refers to primary school, the initial stage of formal education.

primaria(noun)

fA2

primary school

?

education

,

elementary school

?

education

Also:

grade school

?

informal

📝 In Action

¿A qué edad terminaste la primaria?

A2

At what age did you finish primary school?

Mi hija está en segundo de primaria.

A2

My daughter is in the second grade of elementary school.

Aprendimos a leer y escribir en la primaria.

B1

We learned to read and write in grade school.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • escuela elemental (elementary school)
  • colegio (school (general))

Common Collocations

  • ir a la primaria – to go to primary school
  • educación primaria – primary education

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Even though it refers to a place, 'primaria' is a feminine noun, so you always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'colegio' vs. 'primaria'

Mistake: "Using 'colegio' when specifically referring to the primary level."

Correction: While 'colegio' means school, 'la primaria' is specific to the first level of required education (ages 6-12, typically).

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is King

In Latin America, 'la primaria' is the most common term. In Spain, you might hear 'colegio' used more generally for the entire building, but 'educación primaria' for the stage.

An illustration showing four small blue spheres circling one large, dominant red sphere, symbolizing importance or being primary.

As an adjective, primaria means primary, referring to something main or most important.

primaria(adjective)

fB1

primary

?

main/most important

,

principal

?

chief

Also:

fundamental

?

basic

,

initial

?

first stage

📝 In Action

La razón primaria de su visita fue la salud.

B1

The primary reason for her visit was health.

Necesitamos analizar la fuente primaria de información.

B2

We need to analyze the primary source of information.

Esta es la función primaria de este órgano.

B2

This is the primary function of this organ.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • fuente primaria – primary source
  • causa primaria – primary cause

💡 Grammar Points

Agreement Matters

As an adjective, 'primaria' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. Since this entry is for the feminine singular form, it pairs with feminine singular nouns (e.g., 'la función').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'primaria' for masculine nouns

Mistake: "Decir 'el objetivo primaria'."

Correction: The adjective must match: use 'el objetivo primario' (masculine form).

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Tone

When used as an adjective, 'primaria' often lends a slightly more formal or technical tone than simpler synonyms like 'principal'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: primaria

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'primaria' as a noun?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

primario(primary (masculine adjective)) - adjective
primero(first) - adjective
principio(beginning) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How is 'primaria' different from 'secundaria'?

'Primaria' refers to elementary school (usually ages 6-12), which is the first compulsory level of education. 'Secundaria' refers to secondary school (ages 12-16 or 18), which follows the primary level.

Can I use 'primario' for the school?

No. When referring to the school itself, the word is always the feminine noun 'la primaria,' even though the related adjective is 'primario' (masculine) and 'primaria' (feminine).